Constellation to develop biogas cogeneration plant in California

By Constellation Energy Resources LLC | February 04, 2014

Constellation Energy Resources LLC has announced that it has signed an agreement with the city of Los Angeles to design, build and operate a 27-megawatt (MW) renewable energy power plant at L.A. Sanitation’s Hyperion Treatment Plant.

Hyperion is among the 10 largest wastewater treatment facilities in the world, according to a 2012 Engineering News Record report. The sewage treatment process at Hyperion generates a class 1 renewable fuel known as digester gas. The new power plant, which will cost approximately $130 million to construct, will use the digester gas produced at Hyperion as its primary fuel source. The power plant will produce steam and electricity that will be used to operate Hyperion’s treatment operations.

“This state-of-the-art facility will reduce emissions at the Hyperion plant and secure for our city a new energy source that is reliable, efficient and sustainable,” said Traci Minamide, L.A. Sanitation’s chief operating officer.

“Constellation is uniquely qualified to develop and operate this integrated, self-sustaining solution for the City of Los Angeles and L.A. Sanitation,” said Gary Fromer, senior vice president, energy management programs, Constellation. “Our objective is to deliver and operate for the city a power plant that will become a nationwide model for reliable, cost-efficient, sustainable power solutions at wastewater treatment facilities.”

L.A. Sanitation selected Constellation as the project developer after a lengthy competitive bidding process. Constellation and its subcontractors will develop, construct and operate the cogeneration facility for 10 years, with an option to extend the agreement for five additional years. Commercial operation of the Hyperion cogeneration facility is expected by the end of 2016.